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Stipple No More

6/6/2015

 
In an attempt to compress the background around appliqué or quilted motifs, quilters are continually looking for other creative choices besides good old tried-and-true stippling or loops and circles.  

I have numerous books in my library dedicated to background fills.  My favorites include:
  • Trillium House Designs Pocket Guide to Freehanding by Darlene Epp
  • Absolutely Fabulous Echoed Blossoms and Blooms (with a follow up on Nature Naturally) by Janet Hanson.  I talked with Janet this week and she will sell the books for $16.00 each including shipping or both books for $30.00 including shipping.  If you are interested, please send a check directly to Janet at this address:
               Janet Hanson
               8427 172nd Ave. NE
               Forest Lake, MN  55025

  • Fun with Shapes by Cozy Creations

Then there are the online tutorials.  Both of these talented women work on a domestic machine and are inspirational:
  • Leah Day - check out her 400 free motion quilting designs plus videos
  • The Inbox Jaunt by Lori Kennedy - Lori specializes in motif fills and shows lots of examples of how they can be used as background fill.  Her tutorials are here.

Over the years I have found the trick to executing many of these fills is practicing on a whiteboard or even just a pad of paper and a good pen.  Keep drawing the fill until you feel comfortable with it.  Sometimes it may take many sheets of paper to reach that "comfort level".  Occasional, I never got there -- my brain just couldn't recreate the shape.  My advice based on painful experience ... DO NOT START QUILTING UNTIL YOU HAVE REACHED THAT COMFORT LEVEL.  

Background Fills with a Computerized Machine

I love my APQS Millennium with Intelliquilter.  The computer helps a lot with execution of precise designs.  It works particularly well for pantographs, borders, block designs and motifs.  However it can be a challenge when it comes to fillers around applique or embroidery.  However it can be done!  

This week I decided to design my own creative fill using Art and Stitch.  This particular fill was for a Halloween themed quilt made by Pat C.  I used Art and Stitch software to draw the fill.
I want to do a special shout out and thank you to Carol Best for her advice on how to apply a Creative Fill with two separate applique shapes in a block.  Her steps are included in my video.

Almost Finished Halloween Quilt

Check out the finished project (minus a few embellishments to be added by Pat.  I used the "Man in the Moon" filler around the Hat and Spider.  For other fillers, I did some freehand work.  This was my first freehand work since the broken wrist -- and I must admit that I was feeling very grateful that I have the computer to assist with most of my quilting.
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Machine Quilting by Kari Schell
Man in the Moon Creative Fill
Machine Quilting by Kari Schell
Stars and Circles Background Fill - Freehand
Machine Quilting by Kari Schell
Swirls Background Fill - Freehand.
No computerized system -- the Man in the Moon design can also be done freehand.Check out this 50 second video that shows how to stitch out a freehand filler of the design.  There is no audio on this one.  Try the design on paper and let me know how it goes.

True confession -- after finalizing the video above and finishing the stitch out of the design from the video, I wished I had taken a little more time to actually connect up the motifs.  The following video also provides you a suggestion on drafting and placement of a continuous line creative  Man in the Moon fill.
quilting tutorial
Man in the Moon Stitch Out by Kari Schell

Featured Pattern - Ferris Wheel

I happened on a carnival last weekend.  As usual, my eyes were drawn to the Ferris wheel and I was tempted (just a little) to try it out.  Perhaps you will think of this pattern the next time the carnival is in your town.
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Purchase here.
When going to the fair as a child, the ferris wheel was my favorite ride.  I loved the view at the top and enjoyed colorful lights late at night.  This quilt can be made with 8 fabrics or the medium and dark fabrics may be made from scraps.  If made from scraps, Charms work for the Dark; and Fat Eighths or Fat Quarters for Medium 1 and 2.  

Finished sizes:  
  • Wall Hanging (36″ x 36″)
  • Lap (66″ x 90″)
  • Queen (90″ x 90″)
  • King (114″ x 114″)
Recommended (optional) Tools:   
  • Tucker Trimmer™ by Studio 180 Design
  • Corner Pop™ by Studio 180 Design
Happy quilting.

Kari

Sign up for my newsletter to stay current on what's happening in my studio and learn more quilting tips.  As a thank you, I'll send you a FREE pattern for this small maple leaf quilt.

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Melanie Gillette
6/6/2015 01:58:05 am

Very interesting Kari! I have to give this a try. Thank you again for posting such informative videos.

Susan
6/6/2015 02:28:08 am

Hi Kari, Another great video! I'm anxious to try this. When you stitch this fill out, does it backtrack at each point around the applique, or follow the edge of the applique as part of the path?

Deborah Kloss
6/11/2015 12:54:09 pm

Very pretty! The technique videos are interesting to watch...thanks for doing them!

Jeannette Mcintosh
6/11/2015 08:23:37 pm

Kari, thank you so much! I've been wanting to know how to do this for awhile. I knew there had to be a way, but had no idea how to start. I am so grateful that you do these technique videos.

Gloria
6/12/2015 05:59:38 am

Kari, I can't tell you how much I have learned from you since I've found you. I'm so anxious to try this and all the others you've shared. I'm so excited for every post!!! Thank you so much for helping us learn from you.


Comments are closed.
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    Kari Schell

    Electric Quilt Expert and Educator and Pattern Designer.

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  • Free Stuff
    • Other Video Tutorials